The innovative and dazzling vocalist Madeline Eastman headlines this year's Jazz Extravaganza. Based in San Francisco, Eastman is known for her thrilling live performances and refreshing re-working of standards. "She's hitting from beginning to end, sizzling and snapping with electricity, sliding across bar lines, scatting choruses, slowing to a whisper, bending melody lines to her will. She is in charge," notes Stereophile magazine. In 2004, she won third place in the Down Beat Readers' Poll female vocalist category, and was recognized by their International Critics Poll as a "Talent Deserving Wider Recognition."

She has released six albums as leader, including Can You Hear Me Now? last month, and is in much demand as a collaborator, having worked with the likes of Mark Murphy, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Tony Williams, Phil Woods, and Tom Harrell. Eastman maintains an active touring schedule, including visits to Japan, Finland, and New York, and has been invited to perform at the Cotati Jazz Festival, the legendary Monterey Jazz Festival, and the Glasgow Jazz Festival.

Tonight she is backed by Seattle favorites Bill Anschell on piano, Chuck Deardorf on bass, and John Bishop on drums.

Also featured is Bill Ramsay's Birth of the Cool Nonet. Paying homage to the landmark work of Miles Davis, this little big band of Seattle all stars brings life to a collection of familiar and lesser-known classics. Baritone saxophonist Bill Ramsay, a veteran of the Count Basie Band and member of the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame, leads the ensemble with Travis Ranney on alto saxophone, Thomas Marriott on trumpet, Dave Marriott on trombone, Mike Simpson on French horn, Nelson Bell on tuba, Doug Miller on bass, Gary Gibson on drums, and Bill Anschell on piano.

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